Editorial: Reapplying for STAR exemption is worth the effort

New Yorkers have plenty of good reasons to be mighty outraged by the amount of fraud perpetrated on the tax system and other large government operations.

Now they are getting a chance to do something about it. Millions of property owners throughout the state either already have received or will be receiving a notice to reapply for their School Tax Relief exemption. The state is undertaking this ambitious effort to root out fraud in the $1.9 billion system.

It's about time.

Homeowners may find the process a bit of a pain, but it's a one-shot, not an annual, deal, for the basic STAR exemption. Property owners receiving the notification must reapply either online or by phone by Dec. 31. The notification provides a STAR code, which is also available to people online, and receivers will need to verify their salaries, Social Security numbers and primary residence.

Earlier this year, a state audit found widespread abuse of the STAR program, with some homeowners claiming the tax breaks on multiple residences. The STAR exemption is supposed to apply to someone's primary residence only. That includes married couples with multiple residences.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli noted that local tax assessors have no simple way of knowing if a homeowner is claiming the tax breaks in two locations. The new initiative will allow the state tax department to use Social Security numbers to make such determinations.

Under the state's enhanced STAR program, senior citizens with incomes of $81,900 or less are entitled to an additional exemption but they have to register each year for that benefit. They are not, however, affected by the new registration requirement, so seniors shouldn't panic. They should continue to do what they have been doing to get their enhanced STAR exemption.

The basic STAR program provides a partial exemption from school taxes for most homeowners with incomes less than $500,000 on their primary residence.

Those either refusing or neglecting to sign up again for the basic exemption will have that benefit stripped away when school-tax bills go out in fall 2014. They could face other penalties as well, so affected property owners have many good reasons to take this initiative seriously.

The state Department of Taxation and Finance has been conducting outreach, including attending various local government meetings throughout the state.

Affected homeowners should stay on top of this and reach out to the state if they don't receive the mailing in the coming month. The dual purpose of getting a tax break and weeding outfraud is more than enough reason to do so.

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Editorial: Reapplying for STAR exemption is worth the effort

New Yorkers have plenty of good reasons to be mighty outraged by the amount of fraud perpetrated on the tax system and other large government operations.